100 John West Way, Aurora, Ontario, Canada, L4G 6J1

Permits

Please find below information related to permits within the Town of Aurora. With regards to permit fees, methods of payment available include cheque, cash and debit and credit card. Please note: All structures must comply with zoning requirements. For information regarding minimum setback, lot coverage and height requirements please contact the Building Administration Department at 905-727-3123, extension 4390 or 4394.

Additions

Residential additions require a building permit. An addition to your home can include a sunroom, family room, bedroom or 2nd storey addition etc. If the addition includes a washroom or alterations to existing plumbing fixtures, a plumbing permit is required. Also, if your home is serviced by an on-site private sewage disposal system, a septic permit may be required.

Permit Fees:

$12.00 per m²of gross floor area, excluding unfinished basements and service areas. Minimum fee $100.00 *Permit fee includes building, HVAC and plumbing
A security deposit of $25.00 per metre of lot frontage (maximum of $750.00) will be applied.

Decks / Porches

Decks and open-sided roofed porches require a building permit. A handout is available to assist you with your application for a deck or porch permit. Please contact the Building Department to obtain a copy.

Permit Fees:

$100.00 flat fee

Downloads:

Deck Construction Guide
Zoning Guide for Decks, Balconies and Open-Sided Roofed Porches

Demolition

A permit is required for demolition of any structure i.e. garage, addition, residential dwelling, barns, commercial, institutional or industrial buildings. You must provide the Building Department with a copy of your site plan or survey showing the location of the building for demolition and a permit application completed with the description of the building to be demolished and the total gross floor area of the building.

Please note: If the building has historical interest or is in a Historical District, you are strongly encouraged to consult with Mai Al Nabhan, Manager of Heritage Planning and Urban Design prior to making an application with the Building Department for the demolition permit. Mai Al Nabhan can be reached at (905) 727-3123 extension 4351.

Ontario Building Code Demolition Requirements:
Applicants are hereby advised of the applicable provisions of the Building Code related to the proposed demolition:

2.3.2.3(1)
The applicant for a permit respecting the demolition of a building shall retain a professional engineer to undertake the general review of the project during demolition, where:
(a) The building exceeds 3 storeys in building height or 600m in building area;
(b) The building structure includes pre-tensioned or post- tensioned members;
(c) It is proposed that the demolition will extend below the level of the footings of any adjacent building and occur within the angle of repose of the soil, drawn from the bottom of such footings, or;
(d) Explosives or a laser are to be used during the course of demolition.

2.4.1.1(2)
Where a permit is required for the demolition of a building in Sentence 2.3.2.3(1), descriptions of the structural design characteristics of the building and the method of demolition shall be included in the application for a permit to demolish the building.
2.4.1.1(3)
No person shall commence demolition of a building or any part of a building before the building has been vacated by the occupants except where the safety of the occupants is not affected.

Permit Fees:

The fee for a demolition permit is $100.00 for structures under 55m² or $250.00 for structures over 55m², as prescribed by By-Law #5402-12
Prior to the issuance of a permit, a sum of $25.00 per meter of property line abutting the street (to a maximum of $750.00), must be deposited with the Town of Aurora. The deposit will be returned after the work is completed, the site is restored and the Town has verified that any damage done to the public roadway and/or boulevard has been adequately restored.

Finished Basements

If you are finishing your basement, you may require a building or plumbing permit, or both. A building permit is required if the proposed work involves additional sleeping accomodations or structural alterations. A plumbing permit is required for additional plumbing fixtures or alteration to existing plumbing fixtures. In addition, if your home is serviced by an on-site private sewage disposal system, a septic permit may be required. Please note: Finishing a basement where no structural alterations or plumbing is proposed, does not require a permit.

Permit Fees:

Finished basement fee: $100.00
Plumbing fee: $12.00 per fixture or minimum fee $100.00

Fireplaces / Woodstoves / Chimneys

If you are planning to install a fireplace, woodstove or chimney, a building permit it required.

Permit Fee:

$100.00

Garages (Attached / Detached)

Construction of an attached or detached garage or a carport requires a building permit. If the construction of a garage or carport includes alterations to existing plumbing fixtures, a plumbing permit is required. Also, if your home is serviced by an on-site private sewage disposal system, a septic permit may be required.

Permit Fees:

$100.00 up to 55m² flat fee (detached garage)
$12.00 per m² of gross floor area, excluding unfinished basements and service areas or minimum fee $100.00 (attached garage)
A security deposit of $25.00 per metre of lot frontage (maximum of $750.00) will be applied

Garden Sheds / Accessory Buildings

A garden shed is an accessory building. Other accessory buildings include gazebos, cabanas, change houses, pool equipment sheds and detached garages etc. A building permit is required for the construction of accessory buildings greater than 10 m².

Permit Fees:

$100.00 up to 55m² flat fee
A security deposit of $25.00 per metre of lot frontage (maximum of $750.00) may be applied.

Hot Tubs / Whirlpools

If you are installing a hot-tub or whirlpool on your property, a permit is required. If the hot-tub or whirlpool installation is combined with the construction of a deck, a permit is required for both.

A handout is available to assist you with your application for swimming pool enclosure permit. Please call or visit the Building Administration Department for a copy of the handout, or download our electronic copy posted below.

Permit Fees:

Hot-tub or Whirlpool only $100.00

Downloads:

Permit Application Requirements for Hot Tubs / Whirlpools

Plumbing / Septic

Whether you are adding new plumbing fixtures or making alterations to existing plumbing fixtures, a plumbing permit is required. If your home is serviced by a septic system, a septic permit may be required. Please contact the Building Administration Department for further information at 905-727-3123 at extension 4390 or 4394.

Renovations / Alterations

Residential renovations or alterations require a building permit. A residential renovation or alteration to your home can include enlarging a window or door opening, adding or removing a wall. If the renovations / alterations include a washroom or alterations to existing plumbing fixtures, a plumbing permit is required. Also, if your home is serviced by an on-site private sewage disposal system, a septic permit may be required.

Permit Fees:

$3.00 per m² of gross floor area. Minimum fee of $100.00
Plumbing fee is $12.00 per fixture or minimum fee $100.00

Secondary Dwelling Units

The Town of Aurora Zoning By-law No. 2213-78, as amended was further amended by By-law No. 5220-10 April 13, 2010 to permit second suite dwelling units in detached dwellings, semi-detached dwellings and link house dwellings subject to certain zoning provisions.

Two-Unit Houses existing on or before November 16, 1995 are grandfathered by the Land Use Planning and Protection Act (bill 20) and are subject to the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code. Owners are required to schedule an inspection with Central York Fire Services by calling 905-895-9222.

Existing Two-Unit Houses shall be registered with Building Services.

Permit Fees:

$3.00 per m² of gross floor area. Minimum fee of $100.00
Plumbing fee is $12.00 per fixture or minimum fee $100.00

Signs

If you are installing a wall or ground sign, a permit is required. Please contact the Building Administration Department for sign requirements at (905) 727-3123 extension 4390 or 4394.

Permit Fees:

The scale of fees to be paid to the Town of Aurora for sign permits shall be as follows:

$5.00 per square metre of sign face area.

Basic Minimum Fee: $100.00 or the amount as calculated in (a), whichever is greater.

Renewal of a sign permit: $30.00

Refunds: Permit fees are for the cost of the application, including review for compliance to the By-law, processing and issuance and are non-refundable.

Securities for Development / Residential Development Signs: (refundable) $500.00 per sign.

Application for Variance: $450.00 – non-refundable.

Please be advised should you require a sign variance application, please complete the form below and contact the Building Administration Department for more information.

Swimming Pool Enclosures

If you are installing an aboveground or inground swimming pool on your property, the fence (enclosure) surrounding the swimming pool requires a permit. A handout is available to assist you with your application for swimming pool enclosure permit. Please call or visit the Building Administration Department for a copy of the handout, or download our electronic copy posted below.

Permit Fees:

Permit Fee: $200.00 including video (security deposit required)
Security Deposit (Refundable): $25.00 per metre of lot frontage (Max. $750.00)
This fee and security deposit are required for both in-ground and above-ground Swimming Pools

Downloads:

Pool Handout

Links to more information:

Residential Permit Application Checklist